Professor Finbar O'Callaghan

Consultant Paediatric Neurologist, Great Ormond Street Hospital (London) PhD, MSc, FRPCH, FRCP

I am a Professor in Paediatric Neuroscience at the Institute of Child Health, University College London and have been a Consultant Paediatric Neurologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) since 2013. Prior to this, I was a consultant at the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children (BRHC) for 10 years. I have led the Bath TSC clinic since 2006, having joined in 1992 to complete my PhD with Professor John Osborne. I have led the GOSH TSC clinic since 2013.

My research interests are in TSC, infantile epilepsy and childhood stroke, with particular emphasis on epidemiology and clinical trials. I was the Chief Investigator of the International Collaborative Infantile Spasm Study (ICISS) and the Metformin in TSC (MiTS) trial. I am also the Secretary for the European Paediatric Neurology Society and President-elect of the British Paediatric Neurology Association.

In my spare time I enjoy supporting Manchester United and have previously played rugby.

Please note: Prof O'Callaghan does a monthly TSC clinic in Bath.

Dr Andrew Havers

Andrew Havers is delighted to be joining the TSC team. He was a GP partner in Keynsham for 28 years and has held a number of medical leadership and government advisory roles during his career.

Outside work he is a keen opera singer and also enjoys escaping to Cornwall with his partner Bronwen, a physiotherapist with over 25 years service to the RUH.

Dr Ron Loh

Consultant Paediatrician with a Special Interest in Neurology (Cardiff)
MB BCh, MSc, MRCPCH ,BAO, DCH, DTM&H.

I qualified in Ireland in 1995 and undertook paediatric specialist training in London, Bristol and then a neurology Fellowship in Australia.

I have a specialist interest in TSC, epilepsy and headache disorders. I am the Trust lead for Rare Diseases and Medical Student training. I am also a qualified appraiser for consultants.

After 10 years as a Consultant Paediatrician at the RUH, I have moved to work in Cardiff as of June 2019, but continue in my role in the TSC Service in Bath.

In my spare time I enjoy an occasional round of golf.

Kirsten Slaney

I qualified as a nurse in 1999 and my first job was with adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities. I then worked with children and young people with learning disabilities first in a child development centre and then as a community nurse in Surrey, where I completed a Master's degree in Advanced Practice (Community Care). I relocated to the West Country in 2015 and became part of the TSC Team. My interests are in learning disabilities, behaviour management and sleep issues.

I have two young children who occupy much of my spare time but I also enjoy music, reading and ballroom dancing!

Amanda Blyth

I have worked at the RUH in Bath as a Medical Secretary since 2006, providing secretarial and administrative support for General Paediatrics and in particular to the Paediatric Allergy and Cardiology specialities. Prior to this I, worked as a Secretary/PA in the private sector primarily within IT consultancy. I am delighted to have joined the TSC service in June 2017 and am looking forward to working alongside the clinical team.

In my spare time I enjoy long walks with my dog, cycling, reading and socialising with friends and family.

Dr Farzana Hakim

Having qualified from the University of Cambridge in 2007, I completed my Foundation Training in East Anglia, before moving West for Paediatrics training. After four years, I decided to retrain as a GP. I now split my time between the two specialities and have been part of the TSC team since October 2016.

My interests are in general paediatrics and adult medicine, women's health and contraception and medical student teaching.

In my spare time, I enjoy live music, festivals (I have also been a medic at Glastonbury Festival since 2010), learning French and sign language.

Please note: Farzana has stepped down from her role in June 2019 - see our News Section.